B.C. Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon has signaled strong provincial support for the federal government’s newly unveiled defence industrial strategy. Highlighting a shared vision for national security and economic resilience, Kahlon noted that the federal plan dovetails perfectly with B.C.’s own long-term industrial goals.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Why B.C. is All-In
- The 35% Shipbuilding Goal: B.C. is aggressively pursuing 35% of all federal defence vessel contracts over the next decade. Kahlon intends to leverage this federal strategy to ensure B.C. shipyards remain the hub of Canadian maritime construction.
- The 2% GDP Target: As the federal government pushes toward the NATO-standard 2% of GDP for military spending, B.C. is ready to absorb that investment through its existing marine and aerospace sectors.
- Hosting the Global Defence Bank: B.C. is currently bidding to host a new international financial institution focused on democratic military projects. Premier David Eby has positioned Vancouver as the ideal “strategic bridge” for this headquarters.
Strategic Leadership
To ensure B.C. doesn’t miss out on procurement opportunities, the province has enlisted former National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan as a consultant. His role is to bridge the gap between B.C.’s industrial capacity and Ottawa’s requirements.
“The federal strategy provides the exact framework we need to expand our ‘Look West’ economic plan, moving us away from over-reliance on single markets and toward a robust, high-tech industrial base.” — Ravi Kahlon, B.C. Jobs Minister
The Big Picture: Economic Diversification
This collaboration isn’t just about ships and tanks; it’s about resilience. By securing these federal contracts, B.C. aims to insulate its economy from shifting U.S. trade policies and global market volatility.
